By the Brahmaputra ( Vol: 66 – October – December 2024)
Boat Clinic Recognized for Excellence in Antenatal Care Drive
The Boat Clinic unit in South Salmara Mankachar district was awarded for achieving the highest number of registrations during the special Antenatal Check-up drive held between August and September 2024. The initiative focused on registering new pregnant women across health institutions. The award was presented at the District Health Society meeting by the Deputy Commissioner and Joint Director of Health Services, acknowledging the team’s significant contribution to improving maternal health in remote areas.
Dr. Rana Hajjeh Visits Guwahati to Monitor e-SAATHI Project
Dr. Rana Hajjeh, International President of the Population Council (USA), along with officials from Delhi, visited Guwahati for a day-long monitoring trip to assess the ongoing e-SAATHI project. Dr. Hajjeh, a senior public health leader with over 30 years of experience in global health and infectious diseases, was accompanied by a team to observe the impact of this app-based initiative aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Assam.
The e-SAATHI project, launched in April 2023, is a three-year coalition effort supported by C-NES, Population Council Consulting (PCC), Nivi India, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research (SBISR), and The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI). The initiative focuses on improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes through a digital approach, initially implemented in private hospitals in Kamrup Metro.
During the visit, Dr. Hajjeh and the team attended a Women Ambassador Forum (WAF) meeting, interacting with beneficiaries to understand the project’s impact. The team then visited the Guwahati Marwari Maternity Hospital, where the e-SAATHI program has been successfully implemented, and engaged with the medical team to discuss progress and challenges.
Patricia Mukhim Honored with SAHAAS Award by WISCOMP
Patricia Mukhim, Trustee, C-NES and Editor, Shillong Times, was honored with the prestigious SAHAAS Award by WISCOMP (Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace) during a ceremony held at the India International Centre in New Delhi on December 16, 2024. The award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated hope, courage, and resilience in their work.
WISCOMP, a pioneering South Asian initiative, focuses on empowering women in the fields of peace, security, and conflict management. It fosters leadership among women and promotes pluralism and coexistence in the region. Through research and training, WISCOMP engages with civil society and educational institutions to spread knowledge via workshops, symposiums, roundtables, and other educational initiatives.
Mukhim’s recognition highlights her significant contributions to journalism and her role in advocating for peace and social change in the region.
C-NES Participation at TISS‘s Fieldwork Agency Consultative Meet ‘Inhmukhawm’
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Guwahati off-campus organized its inaugural Fieldwork Agency Consultative Meet, “Inhmukhawm” (Mizo for meeting), on December 18, 2024. The event, themed ‘Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change’ in alignment with World Social Work Day 2024, aimed to enhance the effectiveness of fieldwork education in social work.
The meet emphasized the importance of fieldwork as a core component of the Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW) program, designed to develop professional social workers with a deep understanding of social issues and communities. Fieldwork, regarded as the “learning by doing” aspect of social work education, plays a critical role in shaping practitioners who can drive meaningful change.
During the event, participants discussed strategies to make fieldwork more impactful for both students and social workers. Organizations that have partnered with TISS for fieldwork placements were recognized and appreciated for their long-standing collaboration.
C-NES (Centre for North East Studies) was represented by Programme Manager Ashok O. Rao and Communications Officer Bhaswati Goswami, who shared insights on the organization’s internship program and provided feedback on TISS interns. C-NES has been hosting regular interns from TISS and other institutions worldwide for its innovative Boat Clinic health initiative, offering students hands-on experience in a unique public health project.
Universal Health Coverage Day: Acknowledging the Role of Boat Clinics in Assam’s Healthcare
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed annually on December 12th, celebrates the importance of affordable, quality healthcare for all. This day marks the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for all nations to ensure that their citizens have access to essential health services. UHC has been incorporated into the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2015-2030, underscoring its global importance.
However, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), inclusive healthcare remains a challenge in many nations, including India. According to WHO and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report from July 2024, one in ten people globally are treated in healthcare facilities that lack clean water, putting nearly 800 million people at risk of preventable infections. These conditions leave healthcare workers unable to perform basic hygiene practices, such as washing hands, which is essential in preventing deadly infections.
In Assam, C-NES’ Boat Clinics, supported by the National Health Mission (NHM), have been instrumental in providing healthcare services to the most remote and vulnerable communities, especially in the Brahmaputra river islands. For many island dwellers, this marks the first time they have received medical attention since India’s independence, with some having never seen a doctor or received an injection. Prior to this, home deliveries were common, posing significant risks to both mothers and children.
Since the intervention of the Boat Clinics and NHM, Assam’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has seen significant improvement, dropping from 480 in 2008 to 195 according to the Registrar General of India’s latest report for 2018-2020. While Assam still faces challenges in achieving UHC, initiatives like the Boat Clinics play a critical role in closing the healthcare gap and ensuring that essential services reach the most marginalized populations.
Mizoram Hosts First-Ever Literary Festival “LEI” with C-NES Collaboration
Mizoram hosted its inaugural literary festival, LEI, on October 17-18 at the Aijal Club, celebrating the state’s rich literary heritage. The event, which drew an impressive lineup of authors, poets, and participants from Mizoram and across India, was a vibrant platform for discussions and exchanges of ideas. C-NES partnered with The Book Cafe, Aizawl, Sahitya Akademi, and Majha House for the festival, which was entirely organized by a local committee of writers, poets, and professionals in Aizawl.
The festival featured a series of discussions on Mizo modern literature, history, translation, and publishing, with noted voices from both established and emerging writers. Sanjoy Hazarika, Managing Trustee of C-NES, contributed significantly to the festival, participating as a speaker, panelist, and moderator. Hazarika’s keynote address, “Walking the Land/Listening to the Land,” reflected on the deep connection between people and the land. Prof. Joy Pachuau of Jawaharlal Nehru University also presented on “Being Mizo,” exploring Mizo identity.
Prominent figures at the event included Jerry Pinto and Shiny Anthony, co-director of the Bangalore Literary Festival, alongside Ivo Puig, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, who discussed cultural ties between the “Blue Archipelago of the Caribbean” and the “Green Archipelago of the North East.”
In her opening remarks, Chief Secretary Renu Sharma praised the festival for bringing together diverse voices and emphasized the importance of translating Mizo literature to reach wider audiences. The festival marked a significant step forward in promoting literary exchange and celebrating Mizoram’s unique cultural and literary traditions.
Sanjoy Hazarika Delivers Third Homen Borgohain Annual Lecture at Gauhati University
C-NES Managing Trustee Sanjoy Hazarika delivered the prestigious Third Homen Borgohain Annual Lecture at Gauhati University on November 5, 2024. The event was organized by the Department of English under the leadership of Head of Department Anjali Daimary, alongside Dr. Pradipta Borgohain, teacher and son of the legendary Homen Borgohain, a towering figure in Assamese literature and journalism.
In his lecture titled “Literature, Freedom and Expression: The Role of Writers,” Hazarika explored a wide range of themes, weaving together global literary traditions and reflections on the power of writers. He began by discussing the works of naturalists like Henry David Thoreau, a zoologist whose bestseller about life in swamps resonated with readers. He moved on to the profound influence of visionaries like J.R.R. Tolkien, examining the magic of The Lord of the Rings, and then shifted to the impact of songwriters like Bob Dylan, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature, as well as controversial figures like Salman Rushdie, who face backlash for their work. Hazarika also highlighted the resilience of writers in the Russian tradition of literary resistance.
The lecture concluded with a focus on the role of writers from the North East Region (NER), urging them to serve as witnesses to history, documenting their times through storytelling. He emphasized the importance of increasing translations from regional languages into other vernaculars, not just English, to enrich literary expression and representation.
On the occasion, the Department of English also felicitated Mr. Haidar Hussain, an eminent journalist and author, for his decades of dedicated service to the cause of journalism in Assam. Prof. Nanigopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, inaugurated the memorial lecture and delivered the inaugural address, marking a significant moment in the celebration of literary excellence and journalistic contributions in the region.
From the Field:
The Lakhimpur Boat Clinic conducted health camps at Balijan and a health-cum-immunization drive at Santipur, both under the Naoobicha block, on 14th and 15th November 2024, respectively.
16th Central Common Review Mission: Assessment Visit to Morigaon Boat Clinic
On November 21, 2024, the 16th Central Common Review Mission (CRM) team, led by Dr. Pawan Kumar, Additional Commissioner for Maternal Health & Immunization at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, visited the Morigaon Boat Clinic. The team included Dr. Santosh Ojha, Lead Consultant for Maternal Health at MoHFW, Dr. Sudipta Basa, Senior Consultant at MoHFW, Mr. Kannan P, Consultant for Public Health Administration at NHSRC, New Delhi, among others.
The visiting team traveled to Arimari Island village, where they interacted with the health team and beneficiaries.
Each year, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) organizes the Common Review Mission (CRM) in various states across the country. The goal of the CRM is to conduct a rapid assessment of the operational status of health programs under the National Health Mission (NHM) and identify the key drivers and challenges affecting their implementation. It also aims to document innovations and best practices from each state, which can be replicated elsewhere to achieve better health outcomes. The CRM process under NHM/NRHM has provided valuable insights into successful strategies and areas needing improvement, allowing for mid-course corrections.
Health camp being conducted by the Dhubri Boat Clinic unit at Majer Char Pt-2 on 4th Oct 2024
A beneficiary being vaccinated at an immunization camp at Shaildharaisland village by the Goalpara boat clinic on 18th October
LEFT: An awareness session being conducted by Boat clinic Dhubri Unit I on 16th November at Boldiaralga NC
Right: An ongoing camp at Charkholia conducted by the Boat Clinic Dibrugarh on 4th October
Health cum immunization camp at Kuligaon and Sarisuti,Boat Clinic by the Dibrugarh Boat Clinic on 27 th November
Health camp at Sewrapothar-conducted by the Barpeta Boat Clinic II on 19th November
From Radio Brahmaputra
Brahmaputra Community Radio Station 90.4FM (BCRS), popularly known as “Radio Brahmaputra” is the first grassroots’ community radio station in entire north-east India which started its formal broadcast from July, 2015. UNICEF supported C-NES to launch the station in 2009 and is still continuing to support the station through various project related activities.
Radio Brahmaputra was represented as a resource station on community broadcasting in indigenous languages at the “Indigenous Languages and Community Radio in India” event, organized by the UNESCO Chair on Community Media and supported by IPDC UNESCO.
The event, held in Hyderabad on December 2-3, brought together experts and practitioners to celebrate and strengthen the role of community radio stations in preserving and promoting indigenous languages. Coordinator of the station, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan and Kritomjit Hajong represented Radio Brahmaputra, sharing their experiences and insights
Jamini Aita” alias “Jami Aita”, is a popular character of a play, produced by the Radio Brahmaputra. On the occasion of World Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day a play was performed,all characters were played by the villagers of Ikaratali Handique Gaon under the Lahowal Development Block of Dibrugarh district. The character “Jami Aita” was played by Pratima Handique, a 55 years old house wife from the same village. Now Pritma Handique has become popular as “Jami Aita” among the villagers after conducting a narrowcasting session of the radio programme in her village. This shows the power and popularity of Community Radio.
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